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Amanuensis Monday – Daniel Owen Espley

VOTE FOR ME

Daniel Owen Espley is my wife’s grandfather. He was born on 14 March 1886 in Biddulph, Staffordshire. He was always known as Owen to the family.

At some point Owen and his wife Betsy moved from Staffordshire to Mablethorpe in Lincolnshire. They opened a glass and china shop in the town possibly because Betsy had previously worked at the Shelley pottery factory in Staffordshire. As far as we know there was no other connection to that line of business.

Owen eventually stood as a local independent councillor on Mablethorpe and Sutton Urban District Council.

The photograph is Owen’s election leaflet for the 1947 council election. By then a second glass and china business was being run by Owen and Betsy’s son, Fred. And he gets prominent publicity on the leaflet. Here is the text of his election address:-

Dear Friend

Please do me the favour of reading this address carefully, for you are approaching one of the most critical elections ever known in our town. The prosperity of all of you depends on the continued advance of Mablethorpe and it is within your power, as electors, to secure that advance – or prevent it.

Remember, the Council is YOUR SERVANT, not your master. You pay for its upkeep and you should make sure it serves YOUR INTERESTS.

Are you content to let your rates rise year after year and yet see little improvement in the public services?

Do you realise that high rates are preventing the development of our town and impeding its progress?

Examine the back of your Rate Paper and ask yourself honestly – are you getting value for your money?

There are plans on foot for further expenditure on schemes which no other town of our size has entertained, as it is doubtful if they can be made to be self-supporting. I ask you to insist on more economic spending of public money and to give your support to one who will see that you get value for every penny spent; one who wishes to serve you, not dictate to you.

These statements are worthy of your consideration if you are anxious for the welfare of Mablethorpe. I offer myself to you as a candidate in this election. If you return me I shall do all in my power for every ratepayer and for the good of the town.